Erling Haaland Gives Damning Verdict on Szoboszlai Red As PL Explain Decision

Erling Haaland has given a damning verdict after Rayan Cherki's late goal for Manchester City against Liverpool was ruled out following a VAR review.

City secured a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield, having come from behind following Dominik Szoboszlai's superb free-kick.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Reds goalkeeper Alisson was upfield to support Liverpool's attack as they desperately tried to get an equaliser.

But City won back possession and Rayan Cherki aimed a shot towards goal from around the halfway line.

That resulted in what was effectively a foot race between Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland, with the Liverpool midfielder attempting to drag back his opponent in an attempt to stop him from scoring.

The ball eventually dribbled over the line, leading to huge celebrations among the City players as they mobbed Cherki and Haaland.

But referee Craig Pawson was sent to the VAR monitor, with Haaland having pulled back Szoboszlai following the initial foul from the Liverpool player.

Pawson reversed his decision and disallowed the goal, explaining that, as per the PGMOL's Laws of the Game, City's advantage had to be cancelled due to Haaland's foul and therefore a goal could not be awarded.

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Instead, he sent off Szoboszlai for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Speaking to Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison post-match, Haaland shrugged his shoulders when asked about the incident, before stating: "I think, for me, of course the referee has to follow the rules.

"But this will give him [Szoboszlai] three games [ban]. I feel bad for him, because he gets three games. Just give the goal, don't give red cards, it's as simple as that.

"But I think it's the rules. This is just how it is. I don't know In the end, Cherki just passed me the ball and I couldn't score, but that's just how it is."

The Premier League's Match Centre has posted a statement on their official Twitter account, reiterating Pawson's on-field explanation for disallowing the goal.

The statement reads: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Manchester City.

"Referee announcement - 'After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominik Szoboszlai.

'Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

'The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card'."